Art Deco decadence
120 Fleet Street, London is an address that conceals a piece of glittering architectural detail. It’s a glass office block that used to house Express Newspapers when this city thoroughfare was the heart of Britain’s press.
They moved out in the 1980s, but the stunning 1930s foyer remains in all its glory. Gold and silver friezes adorn the walls, the ceiling is gloriously decorated – even the floor is made to catch a dozen reflections.
And if you walk up the marble plinth past the Art Deco lift, there is a bonus in the shape of a tightly spiralled staircase from which light floods in. This is all in the style of a bygone age, but to see this decades later was a pleasure – and very beautiful to photograph.
Click on the first image to launch the full size gallery
The Express Newspapers building is usually closed to public visitors, but they were recently welcomed – and encouraged to take photographs – as part of the annual Open House London weekend. What a memorable visit.
SEE ALSO: LAYERS OF SECRECY
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Beautiful building – and some lovely abstract shots too :)
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Thank you very much, Noeline. Indeed, a newspaper empire was good for something!
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An amazing series of photographs! What a wonderful building.
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Thank you very much! This was mainly the front entrance, so a lot of wow factor crammed into a relatively small area.
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Ha! Kind of like the front page of a tabloid too.
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Yes indeed! They were out to impress and not only with lurid headlines :-)
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The first I’ve heard of the Open House trail, and I’m clearing my diary for 2013! :) Great images – love the stairwell and marble floor. :D
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Thanks Richard, yes, it’s well worth going. The floor is apparently a rubberised material. Who would have thought?!
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